#CFB

[betterthanburrow]

Snow On The Beach - Joe Burrow

Summary: After the past few rough months for the Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback, you decide to plan a one night get-away trip away from the city of Cincinnati is the best way to spend your boyfriend’s 27th birthday… but how good of an idea was it to plan a one night get-away trip to the house by the beach during Ohio’s Snow Season?!

Genre: Fluff and Angst

The past few months have been pretty rough for the Cincinnati Quarterback; on the second day of training camp he sustained a calf injury which caused him to miss out on the rest of training camp and the pre-season games, the calf injury continued to bother him on and off throughout the first six weeks of the season.

By the time Bye Week was over, Joe Burrow thought his run of bad luck was finally over as he started to feel like himself of the football field again… but only just a few weeks later, he would suffer an injury that would cause him to be out for the rest of the football season.

To say Joe Burrow is frustrated would be an understatement; he was furious that his season was over for the second time in his NFL career, he was furious with the NFL for wanting to do an investigation just because he wore a compress brace on the flight to Baltimore, he was furious that the chances of The Bengals making it to the playoffs have lowered because of his injury… but most importantly, he is furious about how the past few months of bad luck incidents have put so much stress on your relationship.

Joe knows how lucky he is to have such a supportive partner that has been by his side since the two of you started dating during your sophomore year at Ohio State University… This isn’t the first time that either of you have felt like the universe is trying to test the two of you to see if your relationship could survive, but it was terrifying to think about how much longer your relationship can survive through these “tests”.

The past few months have been exhausting to live through day by day, at times you felt like the only time you and Joe spent time together was when an argument was happening… It was becoming harder and harder to be the supportive girlfriend when Joe wouldn’t listen to your advice to take things easy, and now both of you are facing the consequences of being terrified to push the boundary wall of your relationship.

The past few weeks since it was announced that Joe was out for the rest of the season and that he would need surgery for his wrist… It has felt like the two of you are walking on eggshells around each other while pretending to act your relationship was fine.

Today is Joe’s birthday and while you wished that the two of you could’ve just had the entire day to yourselves for the first time in so long to be able to take a step in the right direction towards getting your relationship back on the right track… The NFL had other plans as they scheduled The Bengals to have a home football game on Joe’s birthday.

When the NFL’s football schedule for The Bengals was released in May, Joe was excited about the thought of playing a home game on his birthday… but as he sat on the sidelines bench throughout the game, all he could think about was wanted to do was be with you.

Usually after home game at the Paycor Stadium on Sunday afternoons, you would arrive back at Joe’s home before him… so you were grateful that you had some time to get everything ready for Joe’s birthday that you have been planning out for the past few days, before he has the chance to leave the stadiums

Joe has never been someone that wanted to go all out for his birthday. If he came home to a surprise party with a bunch of people in his house after the long day he had at the Stadium, he would not have a fun time at his own birthday party… and the last thing you would want to do was make Joe upset on his birthday.

You still wanted this day to feel more special and different from the past couples of weeks… and after many days of searching through Pintrest and Tiktok to get ideas for what to do on your anti-social man’s birthday, your brain finally came up with an idea.

It had been almost been an hour since you arrived back to Joe’s house, and you were so busy getting everything ready to go that you didn’t realize how fast the time went by… and before you could notice; Joe had parked his car in the driveway and was walking up the front steps with his keys in his left hand, ready to unlock the front door that he knows you had locked.

The sound of the front door opening caught your attention away from the kitchen table and a smile appeared on your face as you watched Joe walked into the house.

“Hey Birthday Boy!” you exclaimed, stopping what you were doing and walking over to Joe to wrap your arms around his neck and kissing him on the cheek.

“Hey Pretty Girl.” Joe said, wrapping his left arm around your waist, as his right arm was in the sling. “Did you have a fun at the football game?”

You nodded your head, “It was fun… but I can’t lie, I’m still not used to not seeing you on the field but instead on the sidelines.”

Joe sighed, “Yeah, it’s been about 4 weeks and I’m still not used to sitting on the sidelines for the game either.”

As he pulled you to give you a hug without putting any pressure on his right arm, he looked over your shoulder to see a checklist, a whole bunch of random items on the kitchen table and two suitcases at the bottoms of the staircase.

“It looks like you’ve been busy.” Joe says. You pull away from the hug and walk back over to the kitchen table as Joe followed you. “What have you been planning?”

“I know what you said that you didn’t want to do anything for your birthday… but I still wanted to make today feel special.” you explained as you started to do continue pack the random items into smaller packing bags and checking items off your checklist.

“Everyday is special when I spend the game with you.” Joe cheekily says with a grin.

You playfully roll your eyes before saying, “You know what I mean Joe… Things haven’t gone exactly the way we’ve wanted things to go for the past few months.”

Joe immediately understood what you meant by what you had said. From the injuries to the arguments, all the bad things that you wished could never happened just never seemed to stop… He couldn’t help but feel a little bit guilty that it was partly his fault for the recent troubles in your relationship.

“I know and you’re right… I’m sorry.” He says.

You shake your head as you stopped what you were doing to walk up to him, kissing his cheek and then pulling him into a hug. “Please don’t apologize for something that this not your fault, neither of us could’ve expected the things that have happened to you over the past few months.”

The hug didn’t last as long as Joe wished it could’ve. Because of how it has felt like the two of you had been walking around on eggshells, Joe can’t remember the last time the two of you had an intimate moment together that didn’t act an apology for an argument.

“You still haven’t told me what you’ve been planning.” Joe says as he takes a glance at the checklist, seeing a bunch of items that had been checked off the list that he assumes have been packed into the suitcases.

“Remember a few years ago when we rented an airbnb house close by EdgeWater Beach in Cleveland during the Summer with Sam and his ex-girlfriend.” You asked and Joe nodded his head. “I know that it’s probably not very convenient for your schedule, but I rented the same cabin close by the beach for tonight… I figured that maybe we need to get out of this house for just a night and what better excuse to get out of the house than to celebrate your birthday!”

When you don’t get an immediate response from Joe, you turn your head to look at him and you were confused to see a massive grin on his smile.

“What’s with the massive grin on your face?!” you asked. “You’re grinning just like Mr. Grinch.”

“I’m not grinning like Mr. Grinch.” Joe defensively says. “All I was doing was grinning at you.”

“Well you didn’t say anything immediately after I told you… so I was a little bit worried that you didn’t like what I had planned out for tonight.” you say.

Joe walks towards you to stand right behind you, wrapping his left arm around your waist as you leaned your back to his chest. He kissed the top of your head and then leans down to kiss your cheek multiple times causing you to giggle at the over the top affection.

“You’re right when you said it’s probably not very convenient for my schedule… but it’s my birthday so I think that allows me to change my schedule around.” Joe whispers. “Especially if my girlfriend and her amazing top-secret planning skills are the reason why I’m allowing myself to change my schedule.”

You turn around so that you’re face to face with him and you smile when you see that the massive grin is still on his face. “That’s good to hear, I’ll keep that information for the future… It’s good we’re on the same page because we’ll have to be going soon if we want to be on the road and make it to the house to unpack our stuff before going to our dinner reservations.”

“We have dinner reservations too” Joe exclaimed. “We have dinner reservations at what restaurant?!”

“I booked us dinner reservations at The Bourbon Street Barrel Room restaurant that we loved when we were in the town with Sam and his ex-girlfriend.” You answered. “Everytime we’re in Cleveland we always say that we’re going to eat at the restaurant again but then we never do because we already out of time.”

“I remember that restaurant… What time are the dinner reservations at?!” Joe asked.

“8:30” you answered. “Which is in almost 3 hours.”

A confused look appears on Joe’s face. “You do know that it’s about a 3 hour drive from here to Cleveland… and who knows how bad the traffic on the highway is going to be.” Joe stated.

You nod your head and sighed, “Listen I understand that I probably didn’t plan everything out perfectly into the schedule we already had planned out today because of the game… but I really tried my best and I think we can make it to the airbnb house and then to restaurant for our dinner reservations if we rush out the door in about 5 minutes.”

Joe chuckled, “Honestly you’re great at alot of things, but I don’t think time management skill is one of those things… Let me make a phone call real quick.” he says before stepping away from you and pulling his phone out of the pocket of his jeans.

“It better be a quick phone call… we need to leave in 5 minutes!” you exclaimed, before continuing to finish packing the items that you had to check off the list.

Joe had walked away from the kitchen so you could ease-drop on his phone-call conversation with whoever he was calling… You just hoped whatever conversation Joe was having on the phone wouldn’t be too long of a conversation, because the two of you would have to start the drive to Cleveland soon.

-

It was Joe’s birthday but here he was spoiling you. The plans for the 3 hour drive to the airbnb house in Cleveland got canceled, not because you and Joe realized it was too late to get on the road… but because the phone call Joe had made, was to arrange his private plane to fly the two of you to Cleveland (turning the 3 hour drive into a less than an hour flight).

On any other occasion, you would’ve argued that taking a private plane just to Cleveland was a waste of a flight… but it was his birthday and the last thing you wanted to do was argue with the birthday boy.

As soon as the car ride (that Joe had also planned out to pick you and him up after the private flight) had driven the two of you to the airbnb house by the beach… The happy memories of the last time the two of you were here came back to your minds, entering the house for the first time in many years, noticing that many things had changed not just in the house but in your relationship with Joe.

Even if it was just for tonight, it was nice to pretend that everything has been perfectly fine in your relationship with Joe for the past couple of months as the two of you got ready for the dinner reservations together in the main bedroom… and by getting ready together meaning that you helped Joe put on his nice jeans and button up shirt since his right arm is in a cast, then him keeping you company and watching while you do your make-up and your hair.

There was no reason to rush anymore, like Joe had said before, the way you handle time management isn’t your strongest skill… maybe you were a little lucky that Joe had his private plane on speed dial incase of “emergencies” like tonight.

It’s as if the minutes started to go by faster by the time you and Joe had arrived in Cleveland because before you knew it… The two of you had arrived at The Bourbon Street Barrel Room restaurant for your dinner reservations, and the staff was so excited to be hosting the Cincinnati Bengals’ birthday dinner because everyone in Ohio loves Joe Burrow.

Joe felt like himself as the two of you were in deep conversations with each other while waiting for the food to arrive at the table… Joe had felt so lost since coming to the realization that for the second time in his NFL career, he wouldn’t be able to complete the rest of the football season.

For the first time in what has felt like forever, the two of you were able to be around each other without feeling tension in the air between the two of you… While Joe was slowly starting to come to terms with the fact that his season was over, he realized that he shouldn’t let the things that he can’t control have any effect on his relationship with you.

If anyone else would’ve planned this one night get-away trip on his birthday, he would’ve told them to refund the money spent on the trip… but he knew that you knew that the two of you needed this one night away from your home in Cincinnati and he was grateful that he had a partner in his life who knows what he needs without having to say it.

Thankfully, the restaurant staff was able to seat you and Joe at a table that was secluded by the rest of the restaurant, in your own private area just for Joe to be able to enjoy his birthday dinner with you… and the food was even more delicious than you remembered from the last time the two of you ate at the restaurant.

The two of you had sat in silence while eating your meal and enjoying the music from the restaurant’s speakers… but it wasn’t a silence that was filled in the void by tension and lingering frustration after an argument came to an end, the silence was a peaceful.

And to make the end of dinner even more special, the waiter brought two slices of red velvet cake for you and Joe to enjoy before leaving the restaurant… you thanked God that the waiters didn’t sing the Happy Birthday song to Joe because you knew he would’ve been uncomfortable afterwards.

After the long night at the restaurant, Joe and you were in the back of the cab on the way back to the airbnb house, cuddled up side by side against each other feeling just a little bit tipsy because of the wine and the good food that was settled in your tummies.

The city of Cleveland has never looked so beautiful before as you were staring out the car window looking at all of the Christmas decorations that were scattered around the buildings along the streets.

Joe was more focused on how gorgeous you looked, sitting next to him in the car with his jacket being worn over your shoulders because your long sleeve dress was not enough coverage to keep you warm, rather than the different Christmas decorations you keep pointing out to him through the windows every couple of minutes.

It didn’t take long before the cab parked right in front of the driveway and not even a minute later you and Joe were walking, with your right hand intertwined with his left hand, towards the front patio to the door as the cab was driving away.

Unfortunately Joe had to let go of your hand in order to reach for the keys to the house that were in the pocket of his jeans… As Joe unlocked the door, the light snowfall that had started as the two of you were leaving the restaurant was starting to get heavier.

The EdgeWater Beach was only a few short miles away from the airbnb house but the view of the snow heavily falling onto the sand was a beautiful sight to see that had you memorized.

“You’re staring at the snowfall Pretty Girl?!” Joe asked, reaching his left hand out to grab your hand to pull you inside. You were so distracted by the snow falling, you didn’t realize Joe had finally unlocked the front door.

“I was wondering when the snow was going to start in Ohio.” you exclaimed, following him inside the house. “It feels like it’s been forever since it has snowed.”

“Don’t say that you miss snow… otherwise it’s going to snow until April.” Joe jokingly says, as he struggles taking off his coat, which forces you to help him before taking off your own coat to hang on the coat rack.

“So now I know you didn’t blow out the candle and wished for snow.” you say, referencing to the slice of red velvet cake that was gifted by the restaurant staff.

Joe laughs as he states walking towards the living room to sit on the couch, “No I definitely didn’t wish for snow.”

“So what did you wish for?” you curiously asked, sitting next to him on the couch.

Joe turned his head to glare at you with a smug on his face, “The birthday wish doesn’t come true if I tell you.”

This time, it was your turn to laugh. “I told you what I wished for when it was my birthday a few months ago!” you exclaim. “Just tell me your wish!”

Joe zipped his lips and shoved the invisible key into his pocket. “You’ll know one day… today is not that day.”

You playfully rolled your eyes and huffed, “Well… since you don’t want to tell me your birthday wish, I guess we’ll just move right along to your present.”

“My present?!” Joe asked.

You nodded your head as you stood up from your spot from the couch and run upstairs to the main bedroom to grab the present that you hid inside your suitcase.

It didn’t take you long to come back downstairs with Joe’s present in your hands as you sat in the same spot on the couch and handed the present to Joe.

“I might need some help…” Joe says, slightly lifting his right arm. “Because of this situation.”

“Oh right.” you shyly say. “Sorry I didn’t realize that unwrapping the present might be difficult for you.”

Joe gave you an apologetic smile before he started to unwrap the present with your help… As he tore off more of the wrapping paper, he could slowly start to see that it was some sort of frame. Once all the wrapping paper was torn off the frame and thrown into the living room floor, Joe analyzed the frame.

“It’s the Night Sky Star Map… and if you look at the date on the bottom, it’s the day that you asked me to be your girlfriend.” you shut explain, pointing to the frame. “I’ll be honest with you, I had trouble trying to figure out what to buy you for your birthday… because what do you get for the guy who could buy anything that he wanted whenever he wanted.”

“This is… the most thoughtful gift I’ve ever received!” Joe exclaims. “I mean you know how much I love astronomy stuff… It’s good to know I asked you be my girlfriend on such a pretty starry night.”

A smile appears on your face as you let out the deep breathe you had been holding in for the past couple of minutes… He leans forward to give you a peck of the lips before placing the frame next to him on the couch then pulled your body close to him with his left arm.

Joe kissed the top of your head, “Thank you for the gift, and while you are right when you said that I could buy anything that I wanted whenever I wanted… Anything that I would buy for myself would never be as meaningful as getting a gift from you.”

You snuggled close to Joe and his left arm wrapped around your shoulder to bring you closer to him… The two of you sat together in a peaceful silence as Joe’s fingers twirled the end pieces on your hair, you rested your head on his chest listening to his heartbeat and feeling him taking deep breathes under the palm of your hand.

The owners of the airbnb house must love to decorate for the Christmas because the living room was decorated very nicely for the holidays… The decoractions around the living room weren’t overwhelming obnoxious with random decor that people buy just to keep up with whatever Christmas decor items are trending on social media but it was Christmas decor that has been passed down through families for many generations as has been taken care of to make the house feel like home.

It was a cozy setting that made you feel like the two of you were in a Hallmark Holiday movie. You lifted your head just a little bit to get a better view from the window of the snow falling on the beach… Joe looked down and watched how your eyes glistened as you admired the snowfall. While he was never a huge fan of snow, he knew how much you loved this weather.

Maybe it was because of the good food and wine or because of the exhaustion from the long day, but you felt very spontaneous in the moment… An idea had come to your mind as the two of you were watching the snow fall get heavier as the minutes went by.

Quickly, you stood up from your spot on the couch and immediately started walking back over to the coat rack to put on your coat… Joe, who had started to doze off because he felt so relaxed, sat up and was confused.

You walked back over to the living room and he saw you wearing your coat and then noticed that you were holding his coat in your hands… Before Joe could ask you any questions, you tossed his coat to him signaling that you wanted him to put it on.

“What’s going through that pretty little mind of yours?” Joe asked. “You’re not thinking what I think, right?!”

You slowly nod your head and Joe sighed, “It’s too cold to go outside… The snow falling heaver by the minute.”

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be on the beach while it’s snowing!” you exclaim. “It’s a beautiful sight that I can’t stand watching from the couch!”

“I wouldn’t call this a once in a lifetime opportunity since it snows in Ohio every year.” Joe says.

“And have you ever seen snow on the beach before tonight?!” you asked, crossing your arms.

Joe sighs again and shakes his head in defeat, the last thing he wanted to go was start an argument with you since today was the first day in a while where the two of you haven’t argued about anything.

“If you really don’t want to go outside then you don’t have too… But I’m going outside even if it’s just for a few minutes to admire the outdoor scenery.” you said, before turning around and walking out the house.

Joe flinched when he heard you slam the front door shut. He took a deep breath to calm his fast-beating heart down before putting on his coat that you tossed to him… While Joe really didn’t want to go outside in the cold weather, he wasn’t an idiot to allow his girlfriend to wonder off during the night.

It doesn’t take long for Joe to follow your footprints in the snow and to find you standing on the beach, admiring the cold atmosphere… He didn’t immediately walk up to you, allowing you to have some space.

It wasn’t the worse argument that you and Joe have had recently in the past few weeks, maybe it wasn’t even an argument at all, but if Joe knows you like he think he does… Joe knows that you were probably more frustrated that the two of you allowed yourselves to set up a situation to argue about that wouldn’t have been avoided if you didn’t walk away.

He watched you pull your phone out of the pocket of your coat to take a couple of pictures and a video of the snow falling onto the sand, kicking the snow around as you walked closer to the ocean.

The cold atmosphere and the sigh of walking the snow fall onto the sand was truly something Joe had never seen before… and maybe you were right about this being a once in a lifetime experience, because who knows the next time the two of you would be on the beach during the Ohio snow season.

After a few minutes of Joe watching you admire the outdoor scenery, he slowly started to walk towards you… The last time he wanted to do was scare you from behind, but before Joe could make his presence known to you.

“I guess you made your decision to join me outside?!” you exclaimed, turning around and giving him a polite smile as you watched him walk closer to you.

“What kind of boyfriend would I be if I allowed my girlfriend to wander in the middle of the night?!” Joe asked, wrapping his left arm around your waist.

“A pretty terrible boyfriend if you ask me…” you whisper, allowing yourself to lean back against Joe’s chest as the two of you admired the view ahead.

There was silence between the two of you, but it wasn’t the peaceful silence like in the restaurant when the two of you were enjoying your dinner… It was the kind of silence that the two of you have been familiar with over the past couple of months, the kind of silence that has caused the two of you to walk on eggshells in order to avoid arguments.

Joe took a deep breathe before speaking, “I’m sorry… not just about tonight but about what has been going on between us these past couple of months.”

You stayed silent, but took hold of his left hand and gave it a squeeze, letting him now that you are listening and allowing him to continue to speak.

“I know that you more than anymore knows how hard these past few months have been for me… This football season hasn’t gone the way that I planned and it’s been frustrating to go through.” Joe explains, “I haven’t felt like myself in months, it’s been hard to motivate myself to get out of bed and go to the stadium and to be a leader for the rest of the team... and throughout all of this, you’ve been by my side supporting me. I’m sorry for putting you through all of this mess and thinking so careless at times not realizing how it’s affecting you and our relationship.”

You took a deep breathe as you squeezed his left hand before letting go and turn in around to face Joe. There’s sympathetic smile on his face, his nose was red from the cold air, and his eyes glistened with tears.

“I understand it’s been hard and that breaks my heart.” you whisper, placing a hand on his cheek, wiping the tears with your thumb that were starting to fall. “I’ve wanted to have many conversations with you but I didn’t want to cross the boundary line and pressure you to talk about things you might’ve not wanted to talk about… which is one of the reasons why I planned this one night getaway trip on your birthday, I wanted us to get out of the environment that we had been stuck in for months even just for one night.”

You take a pause, because you didn’t want to overwhelm Joe with all the things you have been waiting to say to him for months… As you looked at the time on your phone, maybe right now wasn’t the time for the two of you to have this important conversation.

“Look, it’s almost midnight… I don’t think we should have this conversation right now.” you say, “Tomorrow we’ll talk about everything… Let’s enjoy the last couple of minutes of your birthday, let’s enjoy our one night getaway trip away from Cincinnati. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to celebrate your birthday on the beach while it snows.”

Joe laughs and nods his head, “You’re right… this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

You smile as you’re leaning forward to press your lips onto Joe’s lips and the hand on his cheek is guiding him in the kiss… His left hand grabs your waist to pull you closer to him and your right hand grips his coat.

Only just after a minute, the two of you pull away from each other to catch a breathe. As a shiver went down your spine, he pulls you close to his body and you let out a giggle as you wrapped your arms around his neck and rested your head in his shoulder.

“Happy Birthday Joe.” you whisper. “I love you.”

“Thank you… and I love you too.” he whispers.

The two of you spent the rest of your time on the beach watching the snow fall around while wrapped in his arms, as your bodies swayed side to side watching the clock on your phone countdown to midnight to signal the end of Joe’s birthday.

Soon the two of you would have leave the beach to go back to the house just a few miles away and then leave again to go back to Cincinnati, not knowing when you will have the chance to have another one night getaway trips away from the city… and soon would have cross those boundary lines in your relationship to have the important conversations of where your relationship stands after the rough few months.

But for right now, you’re not worried about the future. You trust that things will work out in their own way, and that one day you’ll be able to look at the past few months as a lesson in your relationship… Right now, you’re taking in the moment of falling more in love with Joe Burrow, just like the falling snow on the beach.

Author’s Note:

there was no way that i was going to miss the chance to publish a fanfiction in honor of Joe Burrow’s birthday.

this fanfiction idea for Joe Burrow’s birthday has been stuck in my “Fanfiction Ideas” List for many months and i’m happy to finally publish the story!

thank you all for the love and support! 🤍

#Joe Burrow #Cincinnati Bengals #NFL #LSU Tigers #CFB #Joe Burrow Fanfiction #Joe Burrow Fanfic #Joe Burrow Fic #Joe Burrow x Reader #Joe Burrow x OC #Joe Burrow x Y/N #Joe Burrow OneShot #Joe Burrow Imagine #NFL Fanfiction

[hootball]

JOE BURROW [20200113] CLE @ LSU [20230108] BAL @ CIN

#american football #nfl #cfb #joe burrow #cincinnati bengals #lsu tigers #nfledit #hootedit

[hugshughes]

Headphones J. McCarthy

JJ McCarthy x fem!reader

synopsis - He finally does it. JJ finally wins it all, and as always his best friend, his girl, is there through all of it.

wc - 2k

contains - if you haven't read Rose Bowl, Baby! do it before you read this!!!! the whole Headphoens thing won't make sense to you if you don't so. it's not a direct part two but there's def references to stuff talked about in it, it's the same universe so. established relationship! um cursing, kissing, hugging, touching(? JJ gets a bit handsy after his big win), crying, a bit of making out, the L word, uhmmm, OH TALKS OF MARRIAGE (awwwwwww ur joking). OH WAIT this has like the insinuation that JJ might declare for the draft, but he hasn't yet so that's not real (as of now).

an - UNEDITED! this one prettyyyy short but I wanted to get something out since the BIG WINNNNN yall don't get how much i cried. we were all crying, it was a mess. so proud of the team, GOD BLESS BLAKE. so fucking happy right now. well deserved win for the boys, they put me through an emotional whirlwind though. don't even start on having to watch penix after the game ended, it ruined my life. anyways, i hope you enjoy this.

read, Rose Bowl, Baby! first, if you havent.

-

9:15

The numbers shown above on the Jumbotrons the stadium was equipped with. The minutes were quickly washing away on this football game. It was the fourth quarter, this drive was make or break. If Michigan doesn't score on this drive, it gives Washington the perfect chance to tie the game up late in the fourth.

JJ could do it, you knew he could. He had proven himself time and time again, that not one thing anyone said about him, no matter it be by a famous reporter or a hateful person online, was true.

JJ had controlled this game. He knew exactly what he needed to do to get what he wanted, the College Football Championship. He was comfortable, and calm. JJ had been locked in on the game through all four quarters. He'd put his headphones on at the beginning of the game and hadn't taken them off.

You, along with Jay's family around you hadn't sat down since halftime, not during such a big game.

He looked perfect out there, everything was calculated. Every movement he made was thought out. JJ clapped from his huddle, and his teammates went to their places, moving positions to keep the Washington defense on their toes.

The ball was snapped perfectly, JJ stalled while his men moved across the field, the ball flew from his hands, soaring down the field and right into the hands of a jumping Colston Loveland. Huge first down! Yes!

The boys set up 40 yards down the field, on the Washington 30 yard line. After two more snaps the down was reset again, the boys lining up at the Washington 15. On the next play, JJ quickly handed the ball to Blake, who got a few yards out the field. The next play was crucial. JJ took a deep breath, clapping for the ball. He quickly handed it to Blake, who ran up the middle straight into the end zone! Oh my God, yes! Touchdown Wolverines! It was exactly what they needed, to get ahead multiple scores, so they could sit as comfortably as possible for the rest of the game.

You and JJ's mom, Megan, had started tearing up once he handed off another touchdown, making the score 13-34. You knew this was it, he'd done it. You hugged everyone near you when the clock ran out, crying while laughing with his family. All the families were escorted back into the stadium, and down the tunnel, out onto the field.

You watched JJ run around, talking to reporter after reporter, your favorite smile bright as the stadium lights. He hugged his teammates, and then we all got the go ahead to go out to the field. You hugged Colston, then Blake, and Donovan before you finally got to JJ, in the middle of the crowd. He turned from the cameras and saw his parents, his face lighting up even more. He hugged them so tightly, his eyes getting teary, he'd had everything he'd ever wanted, his family there with him after he won the CFC. He opened his eyes and immediately spotted you, smiling at him in your navy #9 jersey.

He departed from his parents after a few more seconds, saying a few words to them before he lightly pushed past them to about tackle you in a hug. You both stumbled back, brushing against others in the crowd, but it didn't matter in the moment.

"JJ! Oh my God, I'm speechless, really."

He squeezed you tighter, laughing in your ear, pulling back to see your face. You cupped his cheeks, not even noticing the eye black on your hands, that had also no doubt smeared to your neck when he hugged you. You both just smiled at each other.

"Couldn't have done this without you, baby."

He shook his head, emphasizing his sentence. You quickly disregarded it, he would've been great no matter what you were to him.

"This is all thanks to you, JJ. This is what you've worked for."

"'M serious, couldn't've done it without my headphones."

You smiled at him lovesickley, his mom was no doubt taking pictures of you two right now, along with all the cameras meant for JJ.

"I love you!"

You didn't get a chance to respond before JJ smashed his lips onto yours, pulling you somehow closer by your hips. I guess he wants to put on a show, you thought as JJ deepend the kiss. You pulled back from him when you needed air, your chest heaving as your smile stuck to your face.

JJ talked to another reporter, blushing when the man mentioned your kiss. JJ held your hand behind his back while he talked to the man, and you stood with your arm extended out, a few feet behind him, talking with other player's moms.

JJ took some pictures with you and his family before he had to go do media. His personal favorite photo was when you were both turned with your backs to the camera, so you could see the MCCARTHY on both of your backs, but he snuck his hand on your ass. The photo has him with his head turned laughing while yours is turned to him with a gasp framing your face. If you looked at the live version of the photo, you'd see the little video of JJ grabbing you by your waist right after you lightly slapped him.

JJ kissed you again before he ran back to the locker room, he had media to do. You waited with his parents for about an hour before you saw JJ again. You'd watched his live media from your phone while you sat on the ground somewhere inside of NRG Stadium.

Once you'd gotten back to the hotel the team was staying at, most of the team and some family members were all in the large bar and restaurant on the main floor of the lobby. It was almost completely empty other than the team, thanks to them taking up most of the space in the hotel.

"Baby, I can find someone to hang out with, you should celebrate with the guys."

JJ had kept right by your side since you'd gotten to the celebration area, which had now extended from the bar into the lobby of the hotel.

"I am, but I want you right next to me all through this. You've been with me through all of this, you're celebrating too."

You just told him you loved him with hearts in your eyes. He was the sweetest man you'd ever known.

You both stayed out with the group until a little after 1 in the morning, which was early compared to when everyone else would head up. JJ was sleepy, he'd been up for about 18 hours, so you decided it was time to head to sleep.

JJ had showered in the stadium, but you still had to after being in the stands for so long, you could've swore a chunk of your hair smelled like stadium beer.

JJ was passed out asleep when you came back out into the room, you smiled softly, turning off the lamp and plugging your phone in before slipping into bed next to him. He immediately reacted, pushing himself closer to you, wrapping his arms around, and tangling his legs with yours. He was clingy when sleepy.

"Y'know I meant what I said earlier, even though you don't think it's true. You're the only reason I'm still doing what I love, you've helped me through so much baby. I don't say thank you enough."

You were taken back. Tears formed in your eyes at his sentiment. You were sleepy too, so your emotions were on high alert. You tilted his head up towards you, kissing him softly, rubbing your thumb back and forth over his cheekbone.

"You are so special, Jay. No one's like you. You're the most gracious person I've ever known. I love you so much, you have no idea how proud I am of you."

"I love you."

He kissed you again, bringing one of his hands to lay on your hip, the other your neck. Your lips moved rapidly. You let JJ's tongue move against yours, moving your hands to his hair.

JJ pulled away from you first, his chest heaving as he smiled at you sleepily. He gave you one more sweet chaste kiss before laying his head back down against your chest.

"I know you wear my jersey to almost all the games, but somethin' about seeing you in it tonight made me feral."

You were shocked, you wouldn't have ever guessed that seeing his name on your back like you'd done dozens of times before would get him flustered.

"I dunno, it was like makin' me think about when we get married, when I make you Mrs. McCarthy."

You were completely dumbfounded. Of course you know that both you and JJ were it for each other. Neither of you wanted anyone else for the rest of your lives. You only saw yourselves getting married to each, having kids with each other. But still, hearing him say it, was hot.

"Oh yeah? Well it's been almost five years, sweetheart. I was thinking maybe in the next couple I might have a ring?"

"Definitely. Hundred percent chance, no way I wait that long, it'll probably be sooner than a few years."

You smiled, holding him tighter than before. You didn't care when JJ proposed, seriously. You knew he would when it was the perfect time. He was always calculated like that, he knew when to do everything, throw a pass, run the ball, kiss you.

"Doesn't matter when to me. As long as I'm the only one you ever propose to."

Jay nodded against your chest, giggling to himself. He was so tired, you knew you had to make him go to sleep soon.

"Who else could there be? It's only ever been you. You're who I think of when I do headphones. I think that it's just the team, me, and you. I know you don't care if I lose by twenty touchdowns or win by a hundred."

You could've melted. JJ was especially sentimental real late when you were both on the brink of sleep, the air full of love. Thick, sweet, syrupy love that seeped into every crevice of your beings until you were soaked in it.

You motioned headphones over his head still pressed against your sternum, just for good measure. He was your JJ, always.

"I love you, champ."

You whispered as you heard his baby snores leave from his mouth, his head subconsciously shifting to the curve of your neck. All you could think, feel, and comprehend was love.

#jj mccarthy #umich football #cfb playoff #cfb2023 #cfb #jj mccarthy fic #jj mccarthy blurb #jj mccarthy x reader #jj mccarthy fluff #umich #umich x reader #umich smut #umich blurbs #umich fic #umich lb #umich imagine #university of michigan #michigan wolverines

[chaoticblade5]

The Silt Verses RPG is climbing the charts. All it needs to beat is Chains of Asmodeus, a WotC dnd module. No big deal.

#ttrpg #cfb #dnd #ttrpg module #system #drivethrurpg #the silt verses #chains of Asmodeus

[honkygay]

guess who’s back!! back again!!!

awesome new revised plan for my afton siblings designs for CFB (nothings happening btw im just excited for the fnaf movie and missed my goobers- expect jeremy promptly)

#honkygaydraws #fnaf #mike afton #michael afton #elizabeth afton #evan afton #crying child #afton siblings #afton family #theyre all grown up #sobs #william afton die challenge #fnaf au #my au #cherry flavoured bruises #cfb

[feddy-34]

thats my qb?????????

#girl wyd #brock purdy #ah i miss isu brock he's so shy and Chaste now #iowa state #if this is after he played texas....... tea #cfb

[guerrerense]

Alberta Railway Museum por Paula Kirman

#edmonton #cfb #north edmonton #yeg #military #railway #trains #alberta #namao #alberta railway museum #flickr

[joeyburr]

rent free I can’t lie

#joe burrow #cincinnati bengals #joey b #nfl #joey burrow #bengals #lsu #nfl football #lsu tigers #cfb #joe gifs

[tigbiddygandalf]

Big Ten Saturday needs to fix their graphical design

#196 #rule #r196 #19684 #cfb

[kdsburneraccount]

most horrifying thing of tonight was learning that ppl write jj mccarthy imagines

#sidestepped the corpse of michael penix jr while this happened 😔 #when he needed the o line the most they abandoned him 😢 just like in indiana #jim harbaugh i hope your pillow is warm #but im happy for blake corum ig #jj mccarthy is prostestant zach wilson anyway #down to the dubious relationship with head coach #but i digress #i will speak no longer or else i will say something unwise #shouldn’t be surprised tho i mean… yeah #it makes sense #cfb #jj mccarthy

[haloermin-rants]

finally, you and me are the lucky ones this time

Fan art inspired by Cocaine for Breakfast by guccikings (@harryeatsburger)

other version:

#cfb #cocaine for breakfast #larry fanart #larry fandom #larry fanfiction #larry stylinson fanart #Drug Dealer Au #fan art #larry stylinson fanfic #larry stylinson fanart inspired by larry stylinson fanfiction #harry styles #harry styles fanart #louis tomlinson #louis tonlinson fanart

[betterthanburrow]

Afterglow - Joe Burrow

Summary: After weeks of purposefully avoiding a conversation that you need to have with Joe regarding your future together, your relationship is put at risk because of your overthinking thoughts… In order to safe your relationship, you’ll just have to learn that the future will be okay.

Genre: Angst (Establish Relationship)

“Tell Me That You're Still Mine. Tell Me That We'll Be Just Fine. Even When I Lose My Mind… Tell Me That It's Not My Fault. Tell Me That I'm All You Want. Even When I Break Your Heart.” Taylor Swift; Afterglow.

As football season has just come to an end, there are people already talking about the upcoming football season that is months away… Just a few weeks ago, your boyfriend Joe Burrow played his last college football game and won the National Championship for LSU which has made every college football fan excited to see what is the next step in his football career.

The people in the media are starting to talk about the upcoming NFL Draft which is still two months away and the rumors have been going around of which NFL team Joe Burrow will be drafted too… And your family and friends have already began to discuss your boyfriend’s career in the NFL before he is even drafted.

Despite all of these conversations happening, you’ve decided to not participate in these conversations… When people would ask you about the rumors that the media has been spreading about which NFL teams have been in contract with Joe, all you do is smile and say that you don’t know anything because it’s true, you don’t know anything because you don’t want to know.

The transition between college football and NFL has been a transition that you had been dreading to experience since the beginning of your relationship with Joe Burrow just a few months after he has transferred from Ohio State to LSU… For the last few weeks since the conversations about Joe Burrow going to the NFL started, you’ve tried as best as you could to not participate in those conversations.

While people assumed that you are being a good girlfriend and not giving answers to the rumors spreading around… Joe knew that was not the reason why you weren’t participating in the conversations with people, because you weren’t participating in the conversations about his future football career with him.

Throughout the past few weeks, Joe would notice how you would tense up when he or anyone around you would bring up the upcoming NFL Draft and the discussions going around of which team Joe Burrow would be drafted too… Anytime he would try to talk about why you get tensed up just by hearing the word “NFL”, you would just shut down the conversation and try to change the subject as fast as you can.

Joe knew that the transition from playing college football to playing in the NFL would be a big transition for him, but he always knew that transition would be a big transition for you as well… He has cared so much about you since the day the two of you met and he wanted you to be comfortable with the transition as much as possible. There was a huge chance that the two of you would be in a long distance relationship for some time as you would in your senior year at LSU while Joe would be starting his career in the NFL.

As Joe sat on the couch in your apartment waiting for you to get back home from work, he was watching ESPN on your TV hearing them discuss about the upcoming NFL Draft… And for some reason, he decided that today would be the day that he would finally have a conversation with you about the reasons why you’ve been avoiding the conversations about the NFL Draft and the future of his football career.

The sound of the apartment door being unlocked pulled Joe out of his thoughts and a smiled appeared on his face as he finally saw you walk into the apartment… He stood up from his spot on the couch and walk over to where you stood, giving you a hug from behind and a kiss on your cheek as you put your purse down onto the kitchen counter.

“Hi Princess.” Joe says after kissing your cheek, making you blush. “How was work?”

“It was good but it was a long day.” you reply, turning around to face him as you wrap your arms around his neck. “The restaurant was busy as always but, thankfully the day went by fast and now I’m home.”

“That’s good to hear.” Joe says with a smile on his face as he leans down to give you a kiss. Before you could kiss him back, he pulls away and the smile reappears on his face which causes a confused expression to form on your face.

“Is everything okay?” you ask, furrowing your eyebrows at your boyfriend. “You’re acting weird.”

“I’m acting weird because I asked you how was work and gave you a kiss?” Joe asks. “I’m just happy to see you now that you’re home from work that’s all.”

“Remember we have dinner plans with my parents tonight since they’re in town.” you say, as you move away from him to walk to the bedroom to change out of your work clothes into more comfortable clothes. “The reservation at the restaurant is at 8pm so we don’t have to rush to be ready just yet.”

Joe was hesitant to follow you to the bedroom, but he decided to walk back into the living room and sit back on the couch to watch the TV… He listened as the hosts at the panel talked about the upcoming draft and the high expectations of all the NFL teams to pick the best players to represent their team and to lead the next generation of football players.

You could hear the TV from your bedroom and cringed every-time you heard your boyfriend’s name. Which NFL team decided to draft him to their team is definitely going to be the luckiest team in the NFL… your boyfriend was something special on the football team; every football fan knew that, every person on every team that he’s played with or played against knew that, and you knew that.

You would never try to let your own insecurities and anxiety stop you from supporting your boyfriend and his dreams… but you couldn’t help but try not to overthink every little conversation that has been going on around Joe and the future of his football career during the past couple of weeks.

Before your overthinking thoughts take over, you finished changing out of your word clothes as fast as you could and tried to ignore the sounds from the TV… When you walked out of your bedroom and back into the living room, Joe was so focused on the things being said on the TV to the point where he hadn’t noticed that you were in the living room.

“Are you ever going to get tired of hearing the same conversations over and over again?” you asked, making your presence known as Joe turned his head from the TV to seeing you standing with your arms crossed over your chest and an annoyed look on your face.

“No… ” Joe answers. “People have high expectations of my future career in the NFL and I need to know what those high expectations are.”

“The NFL draft hasn’t even happened yet…” you say. “How can you know what those high expectations are if you haven’t even been drafted to a team?”

Joe shrugs his shoulders and you roll your eyes as you walk forward to sit next to him on the couch. “It’s not a bad thing to be prepared for what’s coming.” he says.

“I never said it was a bad thing to be prepared.” you defensively reply. “I’m saying this same conversation has been talked about over and over again… You don’t even know what exactly you’re preparing for, last time I checked you haven’t signed any NFL contracts.”

Joe decided to not respond to what you just said and focused his attention back on the TV; he realized that as much as he wanted to have this conversation with you right now, it was just not going to happen as he could tell that you were exhausted from work.

There was silence between the two of you; while Joe was watching the TV as the host panels continued to talk about the NFL Draft, your head was laying in Joe’s lap as you tried to tune out the noise by closing your eyes… It didn’t take long for you to fall into a deep sleep, Joe was used to you taking a nap after work if you had worked the day shift at the restaurant. Since the two of you would be out late tonight, it was best that you take a nap now or else you would be exhausted while out to dinner with your parents.

-

The night at the restaurant was going wonderful so far. It had been a couple of weeks since you’ve seen your parents since they live in a city in the north of Louisiana, the last time your parents were able to visit in Baton Rouge was a few days before the National Championship football game that your parents attended alongside you and Joe’s parents.

Your parents loved Joe since the first time you had introduced him to them just a few months after the two of you had started dating when the relationship was getting very serious… Just like everyone else living in Louisiana; your parents already knew who Joe Burrow was because of his college football career, but they learned how much he cared for their daughter.

As much as your parents knew how much Joe loves you, they were always very concerned with your relationship as they never wanted you to get distracted by love and not focus on your future career.

Over the past few weeks during phone calls, your parents have tried to get any information out of you regarding Joe’s future and what that would mean for your future together… but you always avoided giving your parents an answer because you couldn’t tell them the truth that you didn’t know the answer and that’s your fault for not having the conversation with Joe.

As your time with Joe and your parents went by at one of Baton Rouge’s fanciest restaurants, there was a bubble of anxiety forming in your chest because you knew at any moment the conversation would shift to the topic that you have been avoiding talking about.

The group was finished eating and we’re just patiently waiting for the bill to arrive and for the table to be cleared of the empty dishes… Once you heard your dad clear his throat, knots formed in your stomach as you knew that your dad clearing his throat was a way to get everyone’s attention because the important topic that he wanted to bring up into a conversation.

“Joe… There’s been a lot of talk about the NFL draft.” your dad says. “Are you excited about the future?”

“Yeah there sure has been a lot of talk recently…” Joe says, glancing over to watch your reaction to where the conversation was going before turning his attention to your dad. “I am excited for the next step in my career.”

“That’s good to hear!” your mom exclaims. “You’re truly something special on the football field! LSU was very lucky to have you leading the team to victory!”

“Thank your Mrs. Y/LN.” Joe says, blushing at the compliment from your mother.

“People have been saying that the Cincinnati Bengals will pick you as the first pick of the first round?” you dad says, taking a quick glance to you before looking back at Joe. “I guess Ohio wants their boy back.”

“Yeah I guess so… I would love to play for Cincinnati, I grew up as a huge fan of the team and I would have the opportunity to give back to Ohio.” Joe says.

“Ohio is pretty far from Louisiana.” your mom says.

“Yeah it is…” you mumble under your breathe, not realizing that Joe heard what you said.

“It is far…” Joe says. “But Ohio is home to me.”

Before either of your parents could respond to Joe, the waiter came to pick up the empty dishes and handed the bill to your dad who had offered to pay for everything tonight… Tension quickly filled the void of silence, you didn’t want to look over to look at Joe because the two of you knew he said something that had your parents concerned for their daughter.

“So I’m assuming that the two of you will be doing long distance for some time if you’re going to be in Ohio.” your mom says after the waiter walks away from the table. “Y/N has a year left at LSU… it’s not smart of her to give up her dreams of becoming a nurse just to be a football players’ housewife.”

The words that came from your mom didn’t shock either of you, she was always a very honest woman who would never lie to not hurt someone’s feelings… you and Joe looked over at each other and for the first time since the two of you started dating, neither of you could understand the expressions on your faces.

“We haven’t had that conversation yet.” you answered, looking away from Joe to look over at your parents.

“And why not?” your dad asked. “The two of you are in a very serious relationship with each other right?”

“This is a very serious relationship.” Joe defensively says. “We will have the conversation about us and our future when we’re ready to talk about it.”

“And when will the two of you be ready for that conversation… Will that be after you get drafted to the Cincinnati Bengals?” your mom asked, looking directly at Joe for him to give her an answer.

“The conversation will happen Mom.” you snapped. “We’re just taking things day by day right now. This just hasn’t been something that been on our mind.”

“Well… This is something that should be on your mind.” your dad states. “Your relationship is going to change the minute he is announced to be drafted to the NFL.”

“Trust me… We know that things will change.” you say. “At least, I know that.” glancing over at Joe to him furrow his eyebrows in confusion of what you meant.

“Don’t wait to long to have that conversation between the two of you.” your mom spoke just as the waiter arrives back at the table with the receipt of the bill.

And just like that, the conversation was over. There were things on Joe’s mind that he wanted to say out-loud but, he knew those things couldn’t be said in front of your parents in a restaurant with strangers around.

There was no point in staying seated at the table in the restaurant any longer, so the four of you got up front your seats and walked towards the front door out to the patio area of the restaurant.

Your parents pulled you and Joe into hugs as this would be the last time you would see your parents until spring break since they would be leaving Baton Rouge early in the morning tomorrow.

“Please talk to Joe about the future.” your mom whispers in your ear. “I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

You nod your head as she gives a kiss on the cheek before the two of you pulled away from the hug… Quickly, your gave your dad as hug as Joe hugs your mom before the two of you walk away from your parents to find the car in the parking lot.

There was silence between the two of you as neither of you knew what to say after the long night at the restaurant… There too much tension in the air surrounding the both of you and there was no chance that things can go back to how things usually are until the conversation happens, but while Joe was willing to have this conversation at anytime you still wanted to hang onto the hope that you could still push this conversation to happen at the last minute.

The silence continued all the way during the drive back to your apartment, not even the radio was on in the car… You wouldn’t even glance over at Joe who was just focusing on driving, you just stared out the window and watched the rain drops fall from the sky.

“Your parents are right.” Joe stated, looking over at you when the car reaches a red light. “We need to talk.”

“There’s nothing to talk about right now.” you respond.

Joe rolled his eyes in disbelief, “Are you being serious right now? You know damn well there is something we need to talk about.” he says

“I know there’s something we need to talk about…” you say. “But that doesn’t mean we’re going to talk about it right now.”

“Then when are we going to talk about it!” Joe asked as the tone of his voice was getting louder. “Are we going to wait to talk about it until it’s too late?”

“Maybe it’s already too late!” you yelled, finally turning your head to look at him. “You’re so ready to move on into the future… Like you said at the restaurant, Ohio is your home so you might as well leave everything you know and love in Louisiana here.”

“What you are saying?” Joe asked. “It’s not too late-”

“The light is green… Please drive so we can get home before the rain gets worse.” you say, interrupting him.

Instead of responding back to you and finishing what he was going to say, there’s a hurt expression of his face that broke your heart to see before he turned his attention back to the road and started to drive forward.

Joe didn’t allow his mind to overthink all the words that you had just said and what those words could have meant as he turns the volume up on the car radio to try and block out all the thoughts in his head.

The sweet sounds of Fleetwood Mac filled the void of silence in the car, Joe hummed along to the lyrics of The Chain as you continued to stare out the window… What could be viewed as a peaceful moment from strangers on the outside, was really just a moment of being blissfully unaware of the tensions heating up.

The rest of the car ride back to your apartment was silence apart from the low music from car radio, neither you to Joe dared to speak up to continue the conversation anytime the car stopped at a red light.

Once Joe parked the car right in front of the apartment building, you got out of the car not waiting for Joe to be a gentleman and open the passenger door… Quickly, you ran fast across the parking lot to get inside your apartment’s lobby before you could have the chance to get drenched of rain.

It caught Joe off-guard for a second that you didn’t wait for him to be a gentleman and open the car door on your side, but he was right behind you running to get inside the apartment lobby… No words was spoken as the two of you got into the elevator to go up to the second floor. It was a silence short ride to your apartment as tension filled the small space.

Once the two of you were in your apartment, Joe watched from the front entrance as you walked away from to go to the your bedroom… Suddenly, a feeling of anger arose inside of him and he couldn’t handle feeling the tension between the two of you any longer.

“So are we just not going to talk about it at all?” Joe asked, before you could enter the bedroom.

“Talk about what Joe?” you angerly asked, turning around to face him. “Do you want to talk about how you’re so ready to just leave Louisiana to go back to Ohio? Or do you want to talk about the NFL Draft? Or maybe it is a little too late for these conversations!”

“For weeks you never wanted to talk about anything to do with my future… and now all of a sudden you’re mad that we waited so long to have a conversation?” Joe yelled. “I tried to talk to you but you’ve shut down the conversation every single time.“

“You really are making this a bigger deal than it really is.” You explain, crossing your arms over your chest.

“No! I’m not making it a bigger deal than it is… because to me, this is a big deal!” Joe yelled. “The day of the NFL Draft will be the most important day of my life… you never wanted to talk about it or be involved in any conversations that I would have with people, but now you’re mad that we haven’t talk about our future yet?”

“That’s not why I’m mad…” you defensively say.

“Can you tell me the reason that you’re mad?” Joe asked. “I can’t read your mind to be able to understand why you’re mad all of a sudden.”

You rolled your eyes and sighed in frustration before responding to Joe’s question. “I don’t want to talk about it right now.”

“Why don’t you want to talk about it?” Joe asked.

“I’m not answering that question right now.” you say.

“Why?” Joe asked, getting more and more frustrated.

“Because it’s hard to talk about!” you yelled back at him. “You and everyone else are just so ready for the future to come and I don’t understand why?”

“I have been waiting for this moment for my entire life!”Joe snapped. “Am I just not supposed to be excited for my future because you don’t want to talk about it?”

“I’m not saying you can’t be excited about your future… But it just seems like you’re excited for a future that doesn’t involve me?!” you explain.

“And why would my future not involve you?” Joe asked, crossing his arms as he waits for your response.

You couldn’t give Joe an answer because the truth is that you didn’t know why Joe’s future wouldn’t involve you… How do you explain to the man that your own insecurities and anxiety are the reasons why the two of you are in this argument with each other right now.

“I’ll be honest with you… When I transferred to LSU, my main focus was just on football and receiving my masters degree. The past two college football seasons were my last chances at raising my college football credits for the NFL to see that I’m worthy of being in the league.” Joe explains in a soft tone as he walks closer to where you are standing. “But then I met you, and instead of changing my priorities for why I transferred to LSU, I just added being the best boyfriend that I could be to you onto the list.”

You look down to the ground as you try to blink away the tears that were forming in your eyes. As Joe stood in front of you, he studied your body language for a second before he continued to speak since you didn’t give him any sort of verbal response.

“If I have given you any reason to assume that I wouldn’t consider you to be apart of my future, then I failed at one of my priorities.” Joe says. You look up to him with a surprised expression on your face and shake your head in disagreement.

“No Joe… That’s far from the truth.” you trembled. “You didn’t fail at anything at all.”

“Then why would you think that I wouldn’t consider you to be apart of my future?” Joe asks again.

Once again you look down to the ground not being able to look Joe in the eyes as you couldn’t give him any reason why… Joe sighed and ran his fingers through his hair out of stress, he couldn’t understand why you couldn’t give him any sort of answer.

“You need to give me an answer before we continue this conversation.” Joe states. “Because the reason we’re not able to talk about the future is because you can’t give me an answer on why it’s hard to talk about.”

“You wouldn’t under-” you tried to explain, keeping your attention to the ground and shaking your head.

“Why wouldn’t I understand?” he asked interrupting you, raising his voice in frustration. “The only thing that I’m not understanding is why you’re mad at me for not having any conversation with you when I tried to talk to you about the future every chance that I got. You were the one to always shut down the conversations!”

“I didn’t want to talk about it then… and I don’t want to talk about it now!” you explain.

“Then when do you want to talk about it?” Joe asked.

Once again, you couldn’t give Joe an answer to his question because you didn’t know the answer to the question… You look up from the ground to give your full attention to Joe, who is standing right in front of you with his arms crossed over his chest.

For as long as you’ve known Joe, you’ve never seen him so angry and frustrated. You’ve seen him get mad after playing a rough game on the football field and upset if a football player from another team trash-talked about him at a press conference because he’s always been respectful to other football players… It broke your heart to know that the reason he is angers and frustrated right now is because of you.

“Do you want to talk about it the day before I leave to go back to Ohio?” Joe asked. “You want to talk about our future when we’re thousands of miles apart?”

“If you’re just so ready to leave to go back to Ohio… then why don’t you just leave right now?” you yell.

Suddenly there is a feeling of guilt in your chest and a visibly hurt expression on Joe’s face is formed. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.

“Joe..”

“You’ve said enough.” Joe exclaimed. “Before I say something that I regret, I’m gonna leave and go stay at Ja’marr’s apartment for the night. We can’t continue this conversation anymore.”

Joe was already walking away from you and towards the front door as he spoke… You follow right behind him because you couldn’t let him leave or else you’ll break down into pieces on the floor.

“Wait Joe!” you yelled, with tears forming in your eyes. “Please let me explain!”

“Y/N.” Joe says, in the softest tone of voice that he has used since the two of you had arrived at the apartment. “I love you but it’s best that I go right now-”

“No Joe stop!” you say, reaching out to grab his arm to try and get him to stop. “We can talk about this now! Please don’t leave.”

Joe stopped in his steps right at the front door and sighed as he turned towards you. He sees the tears that are in your eyes and that have fallen down your cheeks and his heart breaks into pieces but as much as he wanted to wrap his arms around you and carry you to the bed room to give you the love and comfort that you need, he knew that he needed to leave because it was clear to him that the two of you aren’t in the right mindset to continue on the conversation.

“Y/N. I need to go.” Joe say, trying to pull his arm away from you to loosen your grip. “I’ll come back when both of us will be in a better mindset and we can have the conversation about our future.”

“Joe, please don’t leave!” you begged as your voice trembled. “I promise you that I’ll explain everything or we can pretend we didn’t have this conversation and go back to how things usually are.”

It hurt Joe’s heart to see the tears in your eyes and to hear the trembling in your voice but he knew that if there was any chance that there could be a future between the two of you… He needed to clear his mind before having this conversation with you again, because he knew things can’t go back to normal.

“Y/N. Please understand that things can’t go back to normal until we have this conversation.” Joe explain. “The conversation is about our future and if we can’t talk about that with both of us in a clear state of mind, then there’s a chance we won’t have a future together.”

Joe leaned forward and gave you a kiss on the forehead as a way to give you reassurance that everything will be okay… You closed your eyes to try and savor the moment as best as you could. When he pulled away and you opened your eyes, he gave you a soft smile and you could see tears forming in his eyes.

“I love you.” Joe says. “We’ll talk about this and I promise that everything will be okay between us.”

You nod your head and let his arm to let him walk away from you and leave your apartment. The second he walked out the front door, you broke down into tears and sat on the floor, crying your heart out in fear of taking the chance of losing a relationship someone you love and crying in frustration with your anxiety.

Joe would never let you know that heard your cries from outside your apartment right after he had closed your front door… It took all of his strength to not rush back into your apartment and to give you all the hugs and kisses that you would need to feel better.

-

It’s been one week since the argument with Joe and while you wish that things between the two of you were resolved, it just feels like things have gotten worser than you could’ve expected after Joe left.

You hadn’t texted or called Joe since he left your apartment, he’s tried to text and call you but you’ve ignored every message and voicemail that he sent… You didn’t even give him your work schedule for the week so he would know when you would be off-work.

Just hours after Joe left your apartment, you called your mom and sobbed to her on the phone. It broke your mom’s heart into pieces to hear her daughter cry in frustration of letting her anxiety win and not allowed you to open up to Joe about your insecurities.

Your mother gave you advice on how to reach out to Joe and have the conversation with him about your future without the conversation turning into an argument like it did that night… But instead of following your mother’s advice, you’ve just ignored all of the texts and calls from him. Which just made things even worse than they were between the two of you.

Over the past week you’ve barely slept in your own bed, eaten, or taken care of yourself because you’re mourning the lost of a relationship that hasn’t ended… Your only motivation right now is to go to LSU campus for your classes and to go to work at the restaurant.

“Tomorrow you need to talk to Joe. Things are only going to get better if you just talk to him about your fears of how you relationship will change when he leaves Louisiana.” your mother said when she had called you the night before to check on you since she hadn’t heard from you in a couple of days.

Once again you don’t follow your mother’s advice; as you are laying in bed, wrapped up in the sheets and comfortable as you watched re-run episodes of Family Feud on your TV… It was your first off-day from work in a couple of day, and instead of attempting to fix your relationship you just want to rot in bed by yourself.

You couldn’t help but think that the relationship is already over. The moment he left your apartment could have been the last time you ever see him in person… And maybe, that was the best decision for the two of you. Joe would be able to live his dream of playing for the NFL and you would continue your college classes and follow your dreams wherever it took you.

As you feel the exhaustion take over your body because you hadn’t slept properly in days… You heard the sound of front door being unlocked, but thinking that you were just making things up in your head due to how exhausted you are. You just decide to close your eyes and try to fall asleep in the comfort of your bed.

It was just a few minutes later when you heard your bedroom door open just slightly for someone to peek inside… but you made no attempt to open your eyes to see who opened the bedroom door or if it was just your mind making things up like it always does.

45 minutes later:

Your eyes fluttered open and the sweet smell of brownies filled around your apartment… You sat up in a panic as your mind was so confused, it was hard for you to tell if you were still in a dream or if you had put brownies in the oven before you came lay in your bed.

Just then, the bedroom door slowly open and a figure that you weren’t expecting to see was standing right there with a smile on his face… and the smell of brownies in your apartment finally made some sense.

“Oh hey! You’re finally awake!” Joe says.

“What are you doing here?” you asked.

“Your mom called me this morning…” Joe answers. “And she told me some things that I think we need to talk about… If that’s fine with you.”

You nod your head, “So you came to talk and make brownies in my kitchen?”

“You weren’t answering the door, so I used the emergency apartment key… And then I saw you were asleep in your room so instead of just waiting on the couch. I made the only box brownies that I know how to make without starting a fire.” Joe says.

Now things started to make sense in your head, you weren’t imagining someone in your apartment right before you had fallen asleep for a nap.

“I was thinking that we can eat brownies and talk.” Joe said. “Because I think we have waited a little too long for this conversation to happen.”

You didn’t respond, but you nod your head as you got out of your bed and follow into the kitchen where the sweet smell of brownies got stronger… Joe already had two plates of brownies on your kitchen counter, ready to be served and eaten by the two of you.

There was silence as the two of you are sitting on your couch with a plate in brownies in your laps… Despite both of you imagining this scenario in your head multiple times throughout the last week, neither of you knew what to say to start the conversation.

“Are you ready to talk now?” Joe asked, turning his body to face you. It takes you a few seconds to answer but once you look at him and nod your head, he gives you a soft smile before continuing to speak.

“So… the first thing that I want to say is that I’m sorry if I ever pushed you at anytime to have a conversation that you weren’t ready for.” Joe apologized.

“You don’t need to apologize.” you respond, looking down at your lap, feeling the knots twist in your stomach. “I should’ve been honest with you about everything, it’s just hard open up about these kind of things because most of the time I don’t understand it.”

“I understand that things can be hard but… I want you to know that I’m always going to be here for you.” Joe say, placing his hand on your thigh to give you comfort.

“I know that…”

“Do you really know that?” Joe asks, “I don’t want you to just say that you know what I’m saying, I want you to understand what I’m saying.”

When you look up at him, you see the serious look on his face and that he’s not joking around in any way.

“I understand Joe.” you answer. “I’m not lying to you.”

“Okay… I trust you that you understand.” Joe says. “Because this relationship can’t work out when we do long distance if you don’t understand that I’ll always be here for you no matter what.”

The knots in your stomach twist tighter, the thought of being in a long-distance relationship made you want to throw up the brownies you had just ate… The sick look that had appeared on your face doesn’t go unnoticed by Joe, for a few seconds he was concerned.

“That’s what we’re going to do…” you slowly say. “We’re really going to have to do long distance?!”

“It’s either we do long distance… or we break-up.” Joe says. “And as much as I know long distance will be hard to get used too… I would rather do that than to break-up, even if we could decide give our relationship a second chance after graduate.”

It took you a few seconds to get some of your thoughts together on what would be the best way to respond to what Joe had just said…

“I don’t want to break-up either… but you do realize that we’ll be in a long-distance relationship for a year.” you explain. “I don’t graduate until next year in May, do you really think we could do this?”

“I think we can do it.” Joe said. “It’s going to be hard, but we can get through it… a year is going to go by fast and then after you graduate, we can take the next step in our relationship.”

You dropped your head down to look at your lap and pulled the string from your socks to try to distract yourself from not overthinking… At first Joe thought the conversation was over and as he tried to move closer you on the couch, you lifted your head to be face to face as your eyes widen in panic from overthinking.

“What if it’s not worth it?” you asked and before Joe had a quick to ask what you meant, you continued on speaking in a panic. “What if it’s not worth long distance? We’re going to be apart for over a year and what if by the end of us doing long distance we release that our future will never be able to intertwine with each other. Then what, we just give up on a relationship that we could just give up on now?!”

Joe was taken back by surprised of your what you had just said, he wasn’t expecting that you would overthink the future and he thinks back to what the two of you had talked about at the beginning of the conversation.

“You’ll have a crazy schedule with football, I’m going to have a crazy schedule when I become a nurse… I don’t think that we’re going to see each other ever!” you rambled. “I’m not going to give up my dreams to become a football players’ housewife after spending many years studying my live away!”

The repeated words that your mother said at the restaurant stung Joe more than he’ll like to admit… Since the day he met you, he’s been very supportive of your dreams of becoming a nurse even helping you study for tests and letting you help treat his scars and bruises after football games.

“Take a deep breathe…” Joe whispers, moving closer and placing his hand on your back as he rubs his thumb in slow circles. “Remember what I talked about… I’m here for you, talk to me. Don’t overthink.”

When you look up at Joe is when you realize how much closer he is to you than before… It took a few deep breathes for your heart to stop feeling like it’s going to pound of your chest and the knots in your stomach started to untwist.

“First of all, I would never force you to give up your dreams and your career just to become a housewife…” Joe states. “I support your dreams just like you support my dreams. We will figure out everything when we get there, for right now let’s focus on us now.”

“But I can’t focus on us now-”

“Yes you can.” Joe says, interrupting you. “Let’s just focus on each other for now, the future will be okay.”

“The reason I was so scared to have this conversation with you was because of the future… I tried for so long to imagine a future where we wouldn’t have the be separated for so long.” you confess with tears in your eyes. “I was scared that when you leave Louisiana that you’ll never want anything to do with anything from here. I don’t want to be replaced by another woman that you could meet and fall in love with in Ohio.”

“Princess no… Please don’t think that way.” Joe say, pulling you closer to him so that you could wrap your arms around his waist and press your head into his chest as the tears started to fall down your cheeks.

“I can’t… I can’t help it.” you cry. “I can’t help to overthink everything. I was scared to have this conversation with you about our future because I thought that you wouldn’t want me apart of it.”

As Joe continued to rub circles on your back with his thumb, he placed his hand on the back of your head as your cried into his chest… It broke his heart that he never realized any of the signs you could’ve gave him for why you never wanted to have this conversation.

“Please just trust me and trust us.” Joe whispers then pressing a kiss to the top of your head, “I promise that everything is going to be figured out, we just have to talk about all of these things one day at a time.”

You didn’t verbally respond, but you nodded your head and got even closer to Joe… The cried and hiccups started to slow down as you were calming down. You had got very overwhelmed of an anxious feeling too fast for your mind to handle which causes you to get emotional very fast.

As the two of you sat in silence, there was a realization that it is going to be hard for you to start opening up about your anxiety to Joe, but like he told you before… All you had to do was trust him and you understood.

-

The sun was setting over the wonderful city of Baton Rouge and the beautiful colors of red, orange, yellow, and pink spread across the sky… It was a beautiful sight to see from the rooftop of your apartment.

Your head was laying on his chest, as his arm was wrapped around your shoulder pulling your body as close as he could to him… His head rested on your head and you tried not to overthink about how the two of you wouldn’t get to experience these kind of moments much longer before Joe leaves Louisiana.

“When we are apart… Just know that you can always look at the sun setting and know that I’m watching the same sun set.” Joe whispers, giving you a kiss on the forehead and the giggles the he hears from you makes his heart swell up with glee.

“You’re so cheesy!” you say, lifting your head off his cheek to look at him with a smile on your face. “What rom-com movies have you been watching on Netflix?”

“Only the rom-coms movies that you force me to watch!” Joe says. “I don’t think I have ever watched any rom-com movies before we started dating.”

“Yeah I could definitely tell from a mile away.” you jokingly say. “At least now your taste in movies has grown so much since we’ve watched a majority of the best rom-coms that have ever been released!”

Joe shook his head and laughed, “I wouldn’t say my taste in movies has grown just because of rom-coms.”

You gasped and Joe laughs at your surprised reaction. “Just because you said that… we’re watching a new rom-com movie tonight!” you exclaimed.

Joe groaned with a smile on his face as he pulled you back to lay your head on his chest… There was a moment of peaceful silence as you just enjoyed your time together because it was a known fact that there wouldn’t be too many more of these kind of moments to experience with each other for a long time.

While thinking too far into the future still formed knots in your stomach and made you feel sick, all you had to do was take a few deep breathes and just remembered the words that Joe had promised to you.

You don’tknow what the future will hold, you didn’t want to think about how things will change for better or worse for your relationship… But all that you knew right now is that your future with Joe will be okay.

Author’s Note:

it’s been two weeks since i’ve published any sort of fanfiction, i didn’t mean to make any of my readers wait so long to read something new. it just took me some time to find inspiration to write…

thank you all for the love and support! 🤍

#Joe Burrow #NFL #CFB #Cincinnati Bengals #LSU Tigers #Joe Burrow Fanfiction #Joe Burrow Fanfic #Joe Burrow Fic #Joe Burrow x Reader #Joe Burrow x OC #Joe Burrow x Y/N #Joe Burrow Imagine #Joe Burrow Oneshot #NFL Fanfiction

[hootball]

JOE BURROW [20191109]  UA @ LSU [20220130] CIN @ KC

#american football #nfl #cfb #joe burrow #cincinnati bengals #lsu tigers #nfledit #hootedit

[clqoo]

#real #it's so painful #college football #cfb2023 #cfb #alabama crimson tide #alabama football #roll tide

[chaoticblade5]

In different news, The Silt Verses RPG is coming out very soon, and I'm very excited about it.

#the silt verses #ttrpg #cfb #its so good

[honkygay]

heheheheh,,, wip

#honkygaydraws #fnaf #michael afton #elizabeth afton #evan afton #fnaf fanart #my au #cherry flavoured bruises #cfb #wip #work in progress